Thursday’s 580 Pitch, hosted by Great Plains Technology Center, is an initiative to boost local economic development. The early-stage business owners applied for the funds to grow or help launch their enterprise.

The winners are KMZ Investments, $10,000; Broke B’s Mobile Pet Grooming, $5,000; Poly HuliHuli RibChic, $3,000 and Alexandria Cleaning Company, $2,000.

The winners told their business’ stories, how they planned to use the funds and the ways they give back to their community.

KMZ owner, Kimberly Morris, is a Realtor who started her own shortterm rental company with listings on Airbnb and Vrbo.

“I’m just excited,” Morris said following the ceremony. “I love Lawton/Fort. Sill. I love being able to give back and I love being able to have a career and have an Airbnb where I have some flexibility to do what I love and support our community as well.”

Morris said she will use the funds to fully furnish her next shortterm rental property.

A panel of judges scored each business owner’s presentation in three categories: feasibility, growth potential and presentation.

Judges asked pointed questions about the ins and outs of their business as they assessed operations practices and owners’ qualifications.

They probed owners’ profit margins, how much the business has grown since its launch and plans to steer growth even higher.

Morris told judges her path to entrepreneurship was a rocky one, dotted by personal loss, a company layoff and a

Turn to PITCH, p4 cancer diagnosis. She took her real estate exam on the same day in September 2021 of her first CAT scan to see if she was in remission.

“About a year into my real estate career, I recognized the need for additional passive income just to balance out the industry’s highs and lows,” she said. “I purchased my first turnkey Airbnb, and it was an ideal investment for me because the property was already established and ready to book.”

Morris said having a flexible schedule with passive income gives her more time to volunteer with numerous organizations to give back to the community.

Second place winners Holly Staeden and Sarah McNair told judges their business specializes in grooming services for difficult-to-handle animals, including cats. McNair still works a full time job, but the pair could capture more business if she manned another grooming truck. The duo hopes to open a site location as well.

The two often pick up strays that badly need grooming, including a dog for which they removed seven pounds of matted fur.

Staeden said they were thrilled to win the cash, for which they plan to purchase more safety equipment and other pressing needs.

“We’re gonna get our van out of the shop,” she said. “And we’re gonna send her (McNair) to grooming school.”

McNair said she hopes to one day quit her day job so she can focus on the business full-time.

Third place winner, Betty Veu of Poly Huli-Huli RibChic, said she was thrilled to win the extra cash to grow her mobile Polynesian grill to a site restaurant.

“I’m feeling great,” she said. “I didn’t even know I would come this far and I’ve learned a lot in this journey.”

Veu and her husband, Iafeta, started their mobile grill to transition their careers to the food industry, help put their nine children through college and bring a sense of Polynesian culture and cuisine to their city.

For now, the mobile eatery is staffed for free with family, friends and parishioners at their church, Spoken Word Ministries. She hopes to soon hire staff. As part of their company values, the team has fed people for free when they pop up throughout town.

“Each time we serve, my family works tirelessly to ensure no one goes away hungry. And (even) giving away plates for free for the first two hours, our revenue has exceeded our expectations.”

Fourth place winner, Alexandria’s cleaning business took off after she turned a side hustle into a business. She faced depression and health issues, but her drive for the business and a greater understanding of mental health challenges pressed her forward.

“I faced deep personal struggles, from grieving a loved one to battling depression,” she said. “Through it all, I continued. My struggles with depression have helped drive my understanding and reinforce my passion for helping.”

Reed partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit that pair cleaners with cancer patients. Her special niche is eco-friendly house cleaning solutions and certified trained staff who know how to use them.

Reed said she hopes to open a small office space, hire more certified staff and eventually branch out into another state. For now, the funds will be put to good use.

“I’m excited,” Reed said. “I’m going to invest in some more equipment.”

Several businesses sponsored the event, including the following: platinum sponsor, Liberty National Bank; gold sponsors, Lawton Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation; silver sponsors, City National Bank, Arvest Bank, Hilliary, Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, Cameron University; and bronze sponsors, Adventure Travel, Hilton Garden Inn, Comanche Home Center, BancFirst, Gill’s Waste Oil and Sovereign Bank.

In-kind sponsors included Coast Technology Group, Logan’s Homes, Great Plains Technology Center, Edward’s Men’s Wear, Cameron University Department of Business and Ready Made by Renee.

Original Source: https://www.southwestledger.news/news/580-pitch-contest-awards-thousands-local-entrepreneurs